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School bus rear-end accident in Norcross, GA, results in injuries to children

May 2, 2011

2May 2011

One school bus rear-ended another school bus in Norcross on April 25, which resulted in about 10 students apparently sustaining minor injuries.

The students, who were treated at the scene, complained of back pain and other injuries, according to a report in the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The driver of the bus, whose name was not released, was cited by police for following too closely. The driver was treated for minor injuries at Gwinnett Medical Center in Duluth.

Gwinnett County Public School officials are investigating the school bus accident in Norcross, which involved a special needs school bus bound for Camp Creek Elementary School. The bus was rear-ended by a Lilburn Middle School bus carrying 38 students, the AJC reported.

School officials relieved both school bus drivers of their duties, which is district transportation protocol, according to the AJC.

Rear-end accidents are among the most common types of traffic accidents. In some cases, a driver may be distracted and take his or her eyes off of the road. As this case illustrates, police say the driver was following too closely, which also is a common cause of rear-end accidents in Georgia.

"Whether you're a bus driver, a truck driver or someone who is on their way to work or the grocery store," said Georgia personal injury lawyer Gary Martin Hays, "you should always keep a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of you. Following too closely, which is the cause of many accidents, poses a real threat. Hopefully all of the injured students will make a full recovery."